Coffee to Water Ratio Calculator
Pick your brew method and how much coffee you want to make. The calculator returns the exact grams of coffee (and level tablespoons) using each method’s standard ratio — adjustable if you like it stronger.
Standard ratios by brew method
| Method | Ratio (coffee : water) | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Drip / filter coffee | 1:16 | 31 g per 500 ml |
| Pour over (V60, Chemex) | 1:16 | 31 g per 500 ml |
| French press | 1:15 | 33 g per 500 ml |
| AeroPress | 1:14 | 36 g per 500 ml |
| Moka pot | 1:10 | 50 g per 500 ml |
| Cold brew (concentrate) — dilute 1:1 to serve | 1:5 | 100 g per 500 ml |
| Espresso — weight of drink vs dry coffee | 1:2 | 250 g per 500 ml |
Why weight beats scoops
Coffee beans vary in density by roast and origin, so a “scoop” can swing by 30% while a gram is always a gram. A basic 0.1 g kitchen scale is the single biggest upgrade for home coffee — bigger than any grinder or kettle — because it makes your best cup repeatable. Dial in with the ratio here, then only change one variable at a time (grind, then temperature) as you tune taste.
- Sour, weak, fast-draining? Grind finer.
- Bitter, harsh, slow-draining? Grind coarser.
- Right texture but flat? Try water at 195–205°F and fresher beans.
Frequently asked questions
What is the golden ratio for coffee?
The Specialty Coffee Association’s “golden cup” standard works out to roughly 1:18 by weight, but most home brewers prefer a slightly stronger 1:15 to 1:17. This calculator defaults to 1:16 for drip and pour over — 1 gram of coffee for every 16 grams of water.
How much coffee do I use for 12 cups?
A US coffee-maker “cup” is only about 5 fl oz (150 ml), not 8 oz. Twelve carafe cups ≈ 1,800 ml of water, which at 1:16 needs about 112 grams of coffee — roughly 21 level tablespoons.
How many grams of coffee are in a tablespoon?
A level tablespoon of medium-ground coffee weighs about 5 grams (this calculator uses 5.3 g). That’s why “1–2 tablespoons per 6 oz” on the coffee can produces such inconsistent results — a scale is far more repeatable.
What ratio should I use for cold brew?
For cold brew concentrate, use about 1:5 (e.g., 100 g coffee to 500 ml water), steep 12–18 hours, then dilute 1:1 with water or milk to serve. For ready-to-drink strength, brew at about 1:8 and skip dilution.
Does grind size change the ratio?
No — grind size changes extraction speed, not the amount of coffee you need. Keep the ratio fixed, and adjust grind finer if your cup tastes sour and weak, or coarser if it tastes bitter and harsh.
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